Valentine’s roundup!

So soon off the back of Pancake Day comes Valentine’s Day! Will you be celebrating?

I don’t go in for Valentine’s in a big way, even when in a relationship it’s not really my thing...huge romantic gestures on a specific day of the year that is so heavily marketed and hyped up doesn’t really do it for me... That said I am a bit of a romantic but a moment of spontaneous expression or subtle gestures of love are much more meaningful! 

Don’t get me wrong, I'm not a total cynic and a little bit of love any day of the year can never be a bad thing. I love this photo- some may have already seen it up on my Facebook page, it was taken along the cliffs in Ireland last year.... a little reminder from nature if ever it were needed.

Plus when it comes to valentines day, any excuse for a little treat is always welcome and when that little treat can be a healthy indulgence all the better.  So today I wanted to give you a little round up of my Valentine themed recipes and some others from around the web that have caught my eye. I know these aren't all fitting with my Whole Foods Lent Challenge (though many of mine are pretty close and could easily be adapted if needed) but I was a little bit stumped in finding all sugar-free whole food recipes!!

At least this time I am only eating them with my eyes!  My first proper 'whole foods' sugar post will be with you on saturday.

Let me know how you spent your Valentine’s... loved up or otherwise. :-)

hot choc banana cream cups 

chocolate pepermine no bake bars

Chocolate orange cupcakes  (healthy frosting!)

berry oat cups

chocolate mousse pie

buckwheat breakfast bowl 

5 min- choc orange puddle cake

More inspiration from around the web, with thanks the Pinterest. Remember love is not just for Valentines Day! Show some spontaneous foodie love all year round :-)  P.S these recipes are not necessary vegan but are simply to give you inspiration to make your own versions to suit. Credits below each.

P.S you can follow me on Pinterest here!

red velvet heart pancakes by Be Different Act Normal

Choc filled strawberries by Lily Shop

the perfect pear by Lily Shop

chocolate mousse cookies by Style Me Pretty

Healthy chocolate candy

I still have so many Christmassy and chocolately recies to share...lets see how many I can pack in before New Year hits, and then there may even be a few more then too since my healthy recipes will tick the box for a 'healthy' new year too. 

Today's recipe is a perfect gifting recipe for all the relatives and friends still to be visited this holiday season!

This chocolate candy was an accident, as many of my recipes are ;-)  I like accidents like this, a little bit of spontaneity and surprise....just when you think something has gone totally wrong it morphs into something totally new. This began life as an idea for a drippy chocolate sauce, but as I stirred the agave in it began to thicken...oh no....oh yes! You note in the method that I have stated 'melt the cacao until it has melted but not overheated' since one batch I made compromised the texture when it went beyond its optimum, I still used it, it was just harder to handle.

I have now experimented with this idea a few more times, its so simple and you can make small batches so it is the perfect base for experiments and flavour combos....go ahead and throw you own ideas into the comments section! If you have an idea for me to try let me know.

almond and roasted hazelnut and peppermint with sprinkles!

Recipe: Chocolate Slices

Ingredients:

1/2 cup raw cacao chip/chunks
4 tbs agave
1 tsp almond, peppermint or orange extract
pinch stevia
2 tbs topping/mix ins e.g toasted hazelnuts or almonds, desiccated coconut sprinkles, chopped dried fruit

Method:

Melt the raw cacoa on the stove or in the microwave until melted BUT before it begins to go hard and 'grainy'.

Mix in all ingredients other than topping. Mix well until the mixture begins to stiffen.

Spoon onto a layer of non-stick parchment and place another layer over the top. Using a rolling pin, roll out to a even rectangle approx. 3mm thick. Slice into squares (or use a cutter for other shapes), and sprinkle with toppings pressed lightly into the surface.

Chill until solid.

raw cacao chunks

For further guidance on making gluten free choices please see this post.

For tips and info on recipe measurement conversions, ingredients, substitutions and the methods behind how I do things.... check out my 'baking tips' tab at the top of the page.

The ‘worlds healthiest’ chocolate truffles!

What better way to begin my ’12 Days of Christmas’ than with rich and indulgent truffles….but not any truffle recipe, this may even be my biggest triumph to date.

Remember the ‘world's healthiest’ fudge? Well these are a spin-off with a different ratio of ingredients to create a soft and squishy truffle dusted in cocoa.

Those who have already tried them a) raved about them or b) requested an order of around a 100 in various flavours to give away as Christmas presents…result!  Hence my various flavour trials undertaken today (see notes below)  I am now categorically totally truffled out…maybe there can be too much of a good thing!

Ok, so here’s the deal, these truffles are rich and melt in your mouth, they don’t require cooking or heating of any sort- just a food processor. In addition they are also sugar free, fat free, nut free, soy free and gluten free (plus dairy free egg free and vegan…but that goes without saying).

It’s crazy…but oh so crazy good!

I can see your tempted…but then you read the word ‘black beans’…I promise you that you won’t be able to tell there are beans in them and the same with dates/raisins/banana…they all just blend together and the chocolate and almond (or flavour of choice)  takes centre stage.

Recipe: The ‘worlds healthiest’ chocolate truffles

Makes approx. 15 truffles

Ingredients

½ can black beans- rinsed and drained

1 mashed banana

½ cup cocoa powder (or raw cacoa powder)

¼ cup dates

¼ cup raisins

3 tbs agave syrup

2 tsp almond extract  (see notes for options)

½  tsp cinnamon (optional to add depth of flavour)

½ tsp stevia

¼ cup GF flour (see notes for options)

2 tbs chia seeds

Coating

2 tbs cocoa and 1tbs powdered unrefined sugar (e.g rapadura). The sugar is not necessary if you prefer a  ‘bitter’ coating. You could also add crushed nuts or coconut here.

Method

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until a smooth dough is formed. The dough will be fairly soft and sticky, it might help to chill for a little while for easier handling.

With slightly wet hands, scoop up the mixture and roll into small balls. Rolls each ball in the cocoa coating.  Store in the fridge or freeze for a firmer truffle (defrost for 5 minutes prior to eating for best flavour).

Notes:

Flavours: You can replace the almond extract with vanilla for a more neutral dark chocolate flavour. Or 1 tsp orange extract and grated orange rind also works well for a fruity citrus truffle. I also tried adding dried cherries and sugar free blackcurrant jam (increase flour content) for a ‘black forest gateau’ truffle. Oh and lastly I rolled some of thre almond truffles in crushed hazlenuts and dipped them in melted chocolate for a ‘Ferrero Rocher’ theme!

Flours: I have tried these truffles with various flours and they all give a slightly different texture. Fine almond flour (not ground almonds) gives a ‘stick to the roof of your mouth’ indulgence. Buckwheat flour has more of a firm bite, and coconut flour is the least ‘gummy’. Sorry- it’s hard to describe…in general all mild flavoured flours should work well since these treats are not baked and the ratio of flour to other ingredients is quite low, its is simply down to personal preference as to the subtleties of texture , or simply what you have to hand (note: all options taste amazing!).

ferrero rocher truffle!

Oh...one final thing!  I have a little bit of excitement to share. A number of my recipes have been featured in a newly release e-book of recipes...the first time I have ever been published in a book!

*happy face, dances excitedly around the room*

The book has been compiled by Little Miss Nutrition and features lots of recipes under various categories: paleo, high protein, clean eating, allergy friendly, vegan/vegetarian, these are then split down further in to the various meals of the day.

Intrigued? Feel free to check it out here.

For further guidance on making gluten free choices please see this post.

For tips and info on recipe measurement conversions, ingredients, substitutions and the methods behind how I do things.... check out my 'baking tips' tab at the top of the page.